Grizzly Crossing Exhibit to Open at Reid Park Zoo

Sep 18, 2013

by Tucson Parks Foundation

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Grizzly Crossing, a brown bear exhibit at Reid Park Zoo, will open this Thursday. A breakfast celebration will be held at 7:30 a.m. Guests will enjoy a continental breakfast (including salmon and berries, of course) as Zoo Supervisor, Leslie Waters, will share the story of the two orphaned grizzly bear cubs’ arrival. The group will then welcome bears into their new habitat at 8 a.m. Tickets to the Bear Breakfast are available at reidparkzoo.org. The exhibit will remain open for the public at 9 a.m.

This Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. the Zoo will host a “Greet the Grizzlies” event. Grizzly Crossing will be open to the public with crafts, games, and activities to celebrate the bears’ arrival. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and introduce guests to this new species for Reid Park Zoo. The event is FREE with regular admission to the Zoo.

The two orphaned grizzly bears, Ronan and Finley, arrived from Montana in July. The brother and sister yearlings were estimated to be approximately 18 months old at the time of rescue. They were removed from the wild because they were learning dangerous behaviors from their mother – and were considered a public safety hazard. The Grizzly Crossing habitat, which used to house polar bears, was modified for the grizzly bear species, including the addition of shallow water areas and a running stream.

“Our staff has worked diligently to create a dynamic habitat for these bears and get them settled in. We are honored to help rescue them,” says Jason Jacobs, Zoo Administrator. “We look forward to sharing the bears’ story with guests — an important message about how humans and wildlife need to coexist.”